Who has class?

[Skarp]

Hell, they took 2nd at state, so he must be doing something right.

While this might be true in CA or TX, are you sure it applies in Tennessee?

I suppose it's all relative. Give either one of us that team and it probably finishes dead last.

[bruisedshins]

Anybody ever notice that, when you see an established team (been together more than a season or two) with a complete jackass for a coach that will do or say anything to get his team to come in first, the stands on their side are usually filled with parents that are just as coarse and abusive? They heckle the girls on the opposing team from the stands when they are hitting and pitching, and offer nothing but criticism to their own girls. I witnessed this first hand when we played a Baton Rouge team at the Sparkler this year. They talked some serious trash to my 15 year old daughter as she pitched (Fortunately I did not hear it, but was told about it later. Just as well, I would have gone to jail ). On one hand, those jackass-followers obviously approve of the coach's methods and tactics to win at all costs, but another way to look at it is their girls are already used to momma and daddy's parenting methodology, so they respond favorably to a jackass coach. It's just like being at home. Just an observation I've made.

Monkey's Dad

[ontheblack]

Do you think the Mizuno company would be happy to have their name associated with a video of that incident?

When you take on a sponsor, you represent them.

Jennie Finch would be appalled.

[artomatic]

He shouldn't be "allowed" to coach?? Sorry Art (and others), but that's crazy talk.

Well, i did put my "JMHO" after my comment, and I guess I can rephrase it to:
"I don't think this guy should be coaching 12 yr old girls, and I would never put my kid in an environment like that."
Sorry, but I don't want my kid around someone who thinks its ok to destroy a trophy, or anything, to motivate his girls.
I just feel it sends a message to them that it's ok for an adult male to abuse something the girls earned.

Currently, my daughter is coached by genuinely good people who happen to be very passionate about softball. Maybe I am spoiled because of this.
Don't get me wrong, I don't want my kid coddled or always given the easy way out, and Skarp, I think i can say you would agree that I don't baby her.
Her coaches will get after a girl if she isn't giving her best to the team, and they push the players to be their absolute best.
But what this guy is doing, regardless of his motives, is not something I want my daughter to be a part of.
Oh yeah, JMHO

[Skarp]

But what this guy is doing, regardless of his motives, is not something I want my daughter to be a part of.

Me neither. I don't think it would do her any harm...I just think it's silly, and probably evidence that the guy is a little unbalanced.

[artomatic]

I wish there was footage of:
- the girls' faces while he was flopping around bashing the trophy.
- the parents' faces during same.
- other people/teams walking by who were unaware of his motivational techniques.

Was there raucus cheering and hooting, tennessee style?
Was there uneasy, nervous "golf clapping" going on?
Did anyone hope they weren't thought of as being part of the team?
Was this guy all out of breath and sweaty after he was done?
Did he borrow batting gloves as well?
What was the discussion on the rides home: "Nice job hon, didn't get that part at the post game talk though"...

Bizarre.

[MarkJMillsap]

Here's a newsflash for you: some abuse is absolutely necessary in coaching--and teaching, and parenting, and supervising, and leading, etc.

As a Jr. High teacher, coach, and parent, I agree with this 100%. I have been accused of abuse as a coach, and the only way to retain your sanity in a Jr. High classroom is with a little sarcasm (for some this is construed as abuse). I'd like to hear from Amber who concocted this idea. I doubt if it was 12 year old girls. If it was the coach, 12 yr. old girls are very impressionable, and probably felt the need to go along. IMHO. it was a little over the top.

[AlwaysImprove]

Glad to see Skarp step into the fray. Honestly, I laughed my butt off when I saw the first post. Some video of guy going absolutely nuts with horrified kids and horrified parents watching would be the #1 youtube video ever.

I know many a coach that on their first time through the fire have come very close to making similar errors. Yeah, it is over the top. Yeah, probably a bit broken and nuts. Trust me, I have been standing there with that same trophy in my hands and had those same thoughts. In the end, thank god for assistant coaches and a wife, I choose to end the tournament on a positive note.

Anyone that is going to try to get a group of 12 year olds and their parents to compete effectively at Nationals is insane. You can make bank on that.

I know there were a few occasions as I was coming through the first time where (parents + kids) * a big travel event = heavy drinking.

I suspect that first time through for some of the great coaches in the world had some very rough moments as well. College Hall of Famer Woody Hayes found out in the 1978 Gator Bowl. Young John Wooden was known for referee baiting, and the Sam Gilbert exploits throughout his career.

Coach and team are smart to not let a single incident define them. Whether he should coach youth sports will play out over a longer series of events.

[artomatic]

I know many a coach that on their first time through the fire have come very close to making similar errors. Yeah, it is over the top. Yeah, probably a bit broken and nuts. Trust me, I have been standing there with that same trophy in my hands and had those same thoughts. In the end, thank god for assistant coaches and a wife, I choose to end the tournament on a positive note.

Anyone that is going to try to get a group of 12 year olds and their parents to compete effectively at Nationals is insane. You can make bank on that.
.

Yep, I can honestly say there were many times when I wanted to smash something.
But like you, I didn't.
We've all lost it to some degree on the field.
But this was over the top and lacked self control.
That's the difference from this guy and most people coaching kids.
Does he act like that at work if things don't go his way?

Reminds me of one time a few years ago in 12's (now I'm sounding like Iluvblue).
I didn't like the location/result of a pitch i called.
I had the opposing team's line-up sheet folded up in my hand.
I jumped up from my bucket and threw the line up sheet down, all pissed off.
The line up sheet was supposed to slam into the ground, and show how upset I was with my team.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the line up sheet softly floating down from one side to the other, kind of like the feather in the opening scene of Forrest Gump.
I started laughing at how I must have looked.
I laughed even more when I looked up and the girls were staring at me on the bench with puzzled looks...

And your statement about "anyone trying to lead a team of 12 yr olds and parents to compete at nationals is insane" is pretty fricking hilarious because it's true.

[Blind Squirrel]

IMO

That coach is a complete and utter ASSHAT who has absolutely no business coaching children. You're on his team and want to defend him? Rationalize away. I'm certain you would feel the same way if one of your kid's teachers acted like that. Oh wait. Thats different. Education is far LESS important than a bunch of 12 year olds playing a game. Yeah, like that behavior would fly if a teacher pulled that emotionally unstable act and defended his assinine behavior by saying he was trying to motivate his students. That would be the end of that teacher's career unless he left the area and found a job where they didn't know he had EVER pulled that kind of stunt.

I will never ceased to be amazed at what parents condone in the context of sports but in absolutely no other context. But then again, there is no shortage of pitiful souls who long to be on reality TV.

Disgusted Squirrel